Rodrigo y Gabriela

Album review

A duo of acoustic guitarists who sell 8 million records and fill out stadiums all around the world? Nobody had ever seen anything like that before Rodrigo y Gabriela’s first album. Rodrigo Sánchez and Gabriela Quintero, who both possess strong experience in classical guitar, met in a metal band in their native Mexico, before moving to Ireland in search of their own musical identity. Their virtuosic aside quickly turned out to be more promising than continuing their involvement – with nothing on the horizon − with an Aztec metal combo.  And after numerous jousts and inventions, they finally hit the jackpot. They didn’t turn their back on their past however, as evidenced by their covers of such classics as Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven and Metallica’s Orion.

They didn’t either confine themselves to a pretty virtuosic classicism with two times six strings, or into a purely Latino vision of music, even if they undeniably possess a strong knowledge of flamenco guitar. Their virtuosity – the term is worth insisting on – is inventive and unorthodox. Jazz, rock, classical and Latino music play hide-and-seek. One of the rare outside instruments invited, Roby Lakatos’ violin on Ixtapa, releases a clear flavour of gypsy jazz. Listening to them, it’s easy to forget the simplicity of their equipment: Gabriela handles all the percussions from her guitar made by a Dublin manufacturer, while Rodrigo plays the melody on his nylon strings. The nine tracks of this eponymous album constitute an epic suite that you absolutely must listen to at least once in your life. © Benjamin MiNiMuM / Qobuz